Pretending to Be a Heiress

Chapter 5: First Confrontation

Under Edmund’s guidance, Emma spent a few days learning the family’s basic etiquette and history. He also hinted that more important tasks awaited her—“work” that the family might require her to undertake.

God, why can't she just get to the real stuff? Learning family history and etiquette was all well and good, but Emma figured she wasn’t training to be a history teacher for a bunch of ancient artifacts. She vented her thoughts quietly, feeling a bit guilty for her snark towards Edmund.

Before that, though, Edmund informed her, "Emma, to officially mark your place in the family, we’ll host a small gathering. You’ll get to meet some of the elites, and a few young family members will also arrive early at the estate. It’s a good opportunity for you to get acquainted."

Emma caught the underlying message in Edmund’s words—this gathering might very well be her debut for the reality show.

***

The next day, young members of the family started showing up at the estate, laughing and casually chatting about plans to go boating, fishing, and barbecuing by the lake.

Emma joined in with a bright smile, saying, “Boating? That’s awesome! I was on the rowing team at school! I’m super good at it!” She raised her eyebrows confidently, eager to blend into this new circle.

The young people exchanged glances and then burst into laughter. “Oh, look who’s trying to impress us with her ‘skills’,” one of the guys scoffed, his tone dripping with mockery. “This isn’t your little rowing club, sweetheart. We’re here to have fun, not compete. I almost pity you for trying so hard—it’s kind of sad, really.” Emma clenched her fists subtly, her nails digging into her palms as she felt their dismissive gazes pierce through her facade.

Emma’s smile froze. She thought this was her chance to showcase her strengths, but instead, she got nothing but scorn. It felt like a heavyweight lodged in her chest, anger bubbling up as she fought to keep calm and not let their malice get to her. She scanned their faces, telling herself over and over: You don’t need their approval.

A girl who looked like a delicate princess got up, feigning innocence. “Can you handle food prep, then? Oliver and Theodore can row, but no one’s up for cooking. If you can do that, we can skip bringing a chef along—it’d be way more fun.”

The other young people cheered, their laughter echoing again. Oliver added maliciously, “Evangeline’s right. People from outside are probably good at those low-level tasks, right? You’ve got the experience, I bet.”

Emma’s anger simmered beneath the surface. She wanted to retort but felt trapped like she was caged by invisible bars. Her eyes swept over them again; she refused to lower herself to their level. Fury smoldered in her chest as she fought to maintain her composure, determined not to lose control just because of their taunts.

Just as she was about to snap back, a cold voice cut through the air: “Those from the outside can also handle things your parents can’t—like teaching you how to use your brains properly.” His voice was icy, each word sharp as a blade, his gaze scanning Emma like a predator sizing up its prey. He sneered slightly, adding, “But do you think endurance here is some kind of virtue? No guts to fight back?”

"It's you!" Emma recognized him, the orange cat guy from the park. She didn't have time to think about how he could be here; his scrutinizing and disdainful gaze stung her, and she quickly responded, "Maybe I've got more guts than you think."

He curled his lips into a faint, ambiguous smile, looking at her with an unreadable gaze, though a flash of hidden interest flickered in his eyes before quickly shifting to an indifferent coldness. He adjusted his cuff casually and said, "Hope you’re more than just a sharp tongue."

“Alexander, you didn’t say you were coming!” Evangeline, the princess-like girl, pouted, clearly unhappy that Emma had taken Alexander’s attention. She shot Emma a glare before turning to Alexander with a sweet smile, brushing her hand lightly over his arm, displaying a subtle familiarity.

However, Alexander merely maintained a cool expression, nodding slightly in response. Then he turned back to the now-nervous group of young people, his voice cutting like a knife: “Seeing Edmund as her mentor, I thought you’d at least have some basic understanding. Guess I was wrong. Still dumb.”

Nathaniel, a freckled boy, couldn’t resist retorting, “We didn’t say anything wrong, did we? She’s from the outside, isn’t she?” As soon as the words left his mouth, Theodore quickly pulled him back, as if suddenly recalling that Alexander himself had once been an “outsider.”

Alexander’s gaze hardened as he looked at Nathaniel, his voice sharp as ice: "Oh? What's wrong with those from the outside? Do you have a problem with me? I hope your brother Sebastian Hale isn’t as stupid as you, or his Ironclad project might just go south."

The young group’s faces turned awkward as they quietly dispersed. Evangeline glanced between the two sides, hesitated, and eventually followed her friends away.

***

Emma watched the small group leave, then turned to him. "I didn’t expect you to be part of the family. So, just like me, you're one of the 'returnees'?” she asked, her tone probing and curious.

The man remained indifferent to her warmth, replying coldly, "What if you knew?"

Sensing his defensiveness, Emma couldn’t help but press on. "Thanks for stepping in earlier. But I'm curious, are you really like me, someone who came back from the outside?"

He initially didn’t want to say much, but under Emma's persistent questioning, he replied with a touch of impatience, "Didn’t Edmund tell you? Some members grow up outside; the best of them come back."

Emma probed further, "The best? You? What about the others? Where are they?"

"What do you think?" he shot her a frosty look as if saying the answer should be obvious.

Emma felt a jolt in her heart—she got it. "They don't want them anymore?"

"What’s the family thinking?" Emma demanded, her voice tinged with anger. "Throwing your kids out, then making them claw their way back. What is this… a killing show? Or a gladiator arena?"

Alexander's cold smile widened as he patiently explained, "Survival of the fittest. It's only natural."

Emma stared at him in shock, her anger surging. “That’s a crime! You’re abandoning those kids twice!”

Her emotions ran high as she grabbed Alexander’s sleeve, urgently asking, “You think this is right? Don’t you ever miss your family and friends?”

He moved closer to Emma, his gaze sliding from her eyes to her hand gripping his sleeve. He frowned slightly, reflexively reaching to pry her fingers away, but when his touch met her cold fingertips, he hesitated, fleeting indecision crossing his face. His brow furrowed as if suppressing some untimely emotion. Finally, he merely said in a cold tone, “Let go.”

As she released him, Emma felt a chill, perhaps from the coldness of his fingers or his detached reprimand. It made her realize he wasn't the relaxed, humorous man from the park; maybe he had never been that soft-hearted person, just another cold part of this powerful family.

She bit her lip, refusing to appear weak in front of him.

Alexander’s gaze remained icy, his tone mocking as he continued, “My foster family gets generous compensation from the family. And as for my friends,” he paused, his voice turning even colder, “they no longer see me as a friend.”

He turned to leave but stopped after a few steps, pausing in silence before speaking again, his back still turned to Emma. His voice was low, authoritative, and tinged with an unmistakable control: “In this family, no one will make exceptions for you. Rules are rules. If you can’t adapt quickly…”

He didn’t turn around but softened his tone slightly, a hint of control seeping through: “I hope you last until the end. Don’t disappoint me.” His words sounded like an order, almost a warning, leaving Emma unsure of his true intentions.

Men. Emma stared at his retreating, wondering if her new status meant this man’s charm and humor had vanished. Ugh, why the cold and mysterious act? His attitude unnerved her, yet it also sparked a flicker of challenge and excitement in her heart.